CHESS - SYDNEY
ACT TWO
Prelude
(Hotel guests
in groups around the stage--now the hotel lobby. The
Arbiter reads privately.)
GUESTS
We are a world
away from where we started (MUSIC:
foxtrot bangkok)
Though all the
rules expected never came
Some pieces
fell but they have not departed
And others
chased away but stayed the same
There are no
rules, for this is not a game.
Scene nine:
the british embassy
(Guests return
to their rooms as the focus moves to the Arbiter and the Embassy
set-up appears downstage.)
arbiter
Of course, it's
obvious now why Walter's gambit took Anatoly to the British
Embassy. It means that he can deny any American involvement
in the defection. He won't fool many people. And even
if he does, he may regret having chosen the British escape route.
Embassy
Lament
(Walter and
Anatoly queue with various tourists for the attention of two
Embassy Officials. A secretary types in rhythm. The
Officials glimpse Anatoly’s papers.)
EMBASSY
OFFICIALS
Oh my dear how
boring
He's defecting
Just like all
the others
He's expecting
Us to be
impressed with what he's done here
But he
Hasn't stopped
to think about the paperwork
His gesture
causes
We've an
embassy to run here
If these people
can't strike blows for freedom
With a valid
visa
We don't need
'em
If we seem
offhand then please remember
This is nothing
very special
He's the fourth
we've had since last November
(to each other)
Who do these
foreign chappies think they are?
And when he's
safely in the West
He'll be the
hero to discuss
The media will
lionise him
Fame and
fortune plus
No one will
recall it's thanks to us.
(Walter goes to
greet them.)
Official 2
(brushing
Walter aside)
Excuse me, sir?
OFFICIAL 1
Ah. Oh,
you have a wife?
anatoly
Yes.
Official 2
Children?
anatoly
No.
Official 2
Is your wife
coming with you?
anatoly
No, not for the
moment.
Official 1
Oh! You
play chess! Are you good at it?
anatoly
Yes, I think
so.
Official 2
What do you do
for a living?
walter
Gentlemen.
You guys are dealing with a major international figure. May
I....
Official 2
Are you
defecting too, sir?
walter
No! This
man is a citizen of the Soviet Union. I am an American
citizen. I demand that you give
me...him..my...your...immediate attention.
Officials
Have you an
appointment with the consul?
If you don't we
know what his response'll
Be, he will not
see you, with respect it
Buggers up his
very taxing schedule
Pushing peace
and understanding
Let us hope
this won't affect it
Far too many
jokers cross the border
Not a single
document in order
Europe is a
bloody free for all now
embassy
officials (Cont'd)
Extra work for
us but you don't care
Oh how we miss
the Berlin wall, now
Who do these
foreign chappies think they are?
And when you've
filled in all the forms
And been passed
clear of all disease
Debriefed
debugged dedrugged disarmed
And
disinfected, please
Don't forget
the guys who cut your keys.
(Eventually
paperwork is completed. Anatoly and Walter leave the
Embassy and, as they slip into the hotel lobby, are immediately
confronted by Svetlana.)
Scene
transition
Scene
Ten: THE LOBBY (I)
anatoly
Svetlana....
svetlana
Anatoly.
walter
Excuse me.
(he exits)
svetlana
Which player is
the crazy one now?
anatoly
You don't know
how....
svetlana
Is it because
she can play? That she knows what you're thinking when you
play. I don't know that. I've never known that.
I just know what you're thinking when you're not playing....
You
and I
svetlana
You knew better
than me
Where your
ambitions would take us
I knew sooner
than you
That those
ambitions would break us
You would not
believe me
Why should you
believe me?
I held you back
You and your
dreams.
Who needs a
dream
Who needs
ambition
Who'd be the
fool
In my position
Year after year
I'm still
denying
Anything's
changed
Anything's
dying, but, then --
SVETLANA
& ANATOLY
You and I
We've seen it
all
Been down this
road before
But we went on
believing --
You and I
We've seen it
all
Chasing our
hearts' desire --
svetlana
But I go on
pretending
Stories like
ours
Have happy
endings.
(Suddenly a
flash and the pair realise they are surrounded by a mass of
reporters and photographers. Walter on a balcony. Svetlana
runs off.)
anatoly
Walter, you
bastard! You didn't tell me you’d fixed all this!
walter
Welcome to the
West, Anatoly.
(The Reporters
assail Anatoly with a barrage of questions in various accents.
“Why are you defecting?” - “No comment” -
“Have you abandoned the match?” - “No!” -
“Are you a part of a dissident movement?” - “No
comment” - “What about your wife?” - “No
comment!” One particular question stops Anatoly.)
reporter
Can anything be
worth leaving your homeland forever?
anatoly
I am not
leaving anything. Beat it you jerk-off!
(Exit
reporters. Silence for the first time as the ANTHEM music
begins. Svetlana observes from the balcony.)
Anthem
anatoly
No man, no
madness
Though their
sad power may prevail
Can possess,
conquer, my country's heart
They rise to
fail
She is eternal
Long before
nations lines were drawn
When no flags
flew, when no armies stood
My land was
born.
And you ask me
why I love her
Through wars,
death and despair
She is the
constant, we who don't care
And you wonder
will I leave her -- but how?
I cross over
borders but I'm still there now.
How can I leave
her?
Where would I
start?
Let man's petty
nations tear themselves apart
My land's only
borders lie around my heart.
(Anatoly exits.
Svetlana descends in the elevator. Hotel staff go
discreetly about their duties.)
Someone
Else's Story
svetlana
Long ago
In someone
else's lifetime
Someone with my
name
Who looked a
lot like me
Came to know
A man and made
a promise
He only had to
say
And that's
where she would be
Lately
Although the
feelings run just as deep
The promise she
made has grown impossible to keep
Because he let
their story die
Leaving her to
wonder why.
In a way
It's someone
else's story
I don't see
myself
As taking part
at all
Yesterday
This girl that
I was fond of
Saw the truth
at last
The writing on
the wall
Sadly
The words
describe an empty affair
Sadder than
that, she knew he wouldn't even care
Her life no
longer his concern
What to do and
where to turn?
It's all very
well to say
She's free,
it's now or never
She feels she's
facing
No choices
whatsoever --
(Room doors
open upstage at balcony level, Anatoly and Florence emerge and
meet - as if imagined by Svetlana.)
Florence
& anatoly
You and I
We've seen it
all
Chasing our
hearts' desire
Yet we go on
believeing
Nothing can
harm us
This is forever
--
(They waltz off
together, the music swells and we see Svetlana watching them.
The music modulates, they exit and Svetlana concludes her song.)
svetlana
I will be
In someone
else's story
In someone
else's life
And he could be
in mine
I don't see
A reason to be
lonely
I could take my
chances
Further down
the line
And if
That girl I
knew
Should ask my
advice
Oh I wouldn't
hesitate
She needn't ask
me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her
that for free
Trouble is, the
girl is me
The story is,
that girl is me.
THE LOBBY
(II)
Freddie jogs
into the lobby, colliding with Florence who enters with a porter
who pushes her luggage on a trolley.
florence
Oh...I...I was
just....
freddie
Moving back?
Oh no...how stupid of me...you're moving out! Is it worth
packing everything? You'll be back --
(He changes
tone -- attempts a reconciliation.)
Departure
1
freddie
(continuing;
indicating himself)
Silly boy
(indicating
Florence)
Woman who
I should not
have let walk out
There's no
hitch
That we two
Can't untangle
or talk out.
(He sits her on
her luggage and wheels the trolley across the stage.)
And if we do,
partner
Then we two,
partner
Have the world
at our feet
We'll bring
back the golden era
Stick with me,
Florence
Believe in me,
Florence
I can win, you
can win
Every game I'm
getting nearer.
florence
Can't you see
we've moved on?
Chess has
nothing to do with this!
Freddie, grow
up. Chess isn't life. Life isn't chess!
freddie
But I can win!
I can win for you and you can help me. I love you,
Florence.
florence
I don't want
the winner of a game. You've never understood what I
wanted.
Florence
leaves. Freddie, distraught, yells after her.)
freddie
And you never
understood what I wanted! But you can't stop me getting it,
Florence (he is starting to lose control) - you can't stop me
winning! I've always been a winner!
Pity
the Child
freddie
When I was nine
I learned survival
Taught myself
not to care
I was my single
good companion
Taking my
comfort there
Up in my room I
planned my conquests
On my own --
never asked for a helping hand
No one would
understand
I never asked
the pair who fought below
Just in case
they said no.
Pity the child
who has ambition
Knows what he
wants to do
Knows that
he'll never fit the system
Others expect
him to
Pity the child
who knew his parents
Saw their
faults, saw their love die before his eyes
Pity a child
that wise
He never asked
did I cause your distress?
Just in case
they said yes.
When I was
twelve my father moved out
Left with a
whimper -- not with a shout
I didn't miss
him -- he made it perfectly clear
I was a fool
and probably queer
Fool that I was
I thought this would bring
Those he had
left closer together
She made her
move the moment he walked away
I was the last
the woman told
She never let
her bed get cold
Someone moved
in -- I shut my door
Someone to
treat her just the same way as before.
I took the road
of least resistance
I had my game
to play
I had the
skill, and more -- the hunger
Easy to get
away
Pity the child
with no such weapons
No defence, no
escape from the ties that bind
Always a step
behind
I never called
to tell her all I'd done
I was only her
son!
(The Two
Children interrupt Freddie’s reverie with a request for
autographs. He obliges, then finishes song.)
Pity the child
but not forever
He needn't stay
that way
He can get all
he ever wanted
If he's
prepared to pay
Pity instead
the careless mother
What she
missed,
What she lost
when she let me go
And I wonder
does she know
I wouldn't call
- a crazy thing to do
Just in case
she said who?
Scene
Twelve: THE HEALTH CENTRE
(A cheerful
Alexander Molokov descends by elevator, immaculately dressed.
Down in spirit, the Soviet contingent has taken refuge in vodka,
massage and exercise equipment.)
(Molokov
attempts to convince the Soviet team that all is not yet lost.)
molokov
Comrades!
Why are you looking so glum?
(they really
are)
We have had a
small public relations problem. But we can use the madness
of the traitor Sergivesky to our advantage! If they want to
play games other than chess, then we will be in our element.
(he downs a
short vodka and begins to explain)
The
Soviet Machine
molokov
Just in case
you feel a trace
Of doubt or
even nervous tension
Let me draw the
latest score
To your
attention.
Not the score
the witless corps
Of commentators
are debating
Come, admit --
who gives a shit
For the Elo
rating?
No, I prefer
and I'm sure you concur
To see who's
ahead psychologically
For example:
We have a plus
That's
exclusive to us
Whatever takes
place
We will not
have lost face.
(No
enthusiastic response. Molokov talks.)
Don't you
understand? Listen!! (the cronies jump) - Gameplay One:
Anatoly Sergievsky returns to the board to finish the match but
he doesn't feel too good!
It's so
difficult to concentrate if
You have left
your native
Country for a
woman and a culture unknown
It's not easy
for a chap to excel
Feeling guilty
as hell
Having left his
wife to face the music alone.
I do not see
how anyone in such a state
Could operate
The sad and
sordid ending to
A great career
is very near
And we shall
say as she leads him away
To life in her
arms to obscurity!
(The Cronies
have perked up)
cRONIES
Tell us,
comrade -
molokov
That this
simply proves
That when he
made the moves,
Won the
applause -
(Cronies join
in.)
cronies
We were the
cause!
MOLOKOV
& CRONIES
Bit by bit the
pieces fit
The Soviet
Machine advances
Not one move
that won't improve
Our nation's
chances.
We predict a
stunning victory
Both on the
board and off it
We will show
the traitor no one
Rats with
profit.
Yes, we're
gonna smash that bastard
Make him wanna
change his name
Take him to the
cleaners and devastate him
Wipe him out,
humiliate him
We don't want
the whole world saying
They can't even
win a game
We have never
reckoned on coming second
There's no use
in losing.
molokov
So Anatoly
loses...we win.
crony
What if he
wins?
molokov
I am very
disappointed in you, my friend. Anatoly wins, we win!
Is, of course, beyond shadow of possibility that he could win,
but...Gameplay Two: Anatoly Sergievsky returns to the board to
finish the match and he feels great!
(There is a
sudden shriek of pain. Molokov has inadvertently injured a
crony.)
molokov
Sorry!
(Song resumes)
In my
nightmares I can not imagine
In fact, I'd
turn my badge in
If that
turncoat ever won a chess match again
(Molokov nearly
loses control here but gets a grip on himself.)
Inconceivable -
but say - God forbid
That he
actually did
we can say his
triumph now is what he learned then
It's ludicrous
for any pundit to suggest
That in the
West
His genius was
somehow nurtured overnight
The little
shite! (nearly exploding)
No! it's
as plain as the Leningrad rain
That his
formative years
put him where
he is
cronies
(really happy
now)
Tell us,
comrade -
molokov
This simply
proves that when he made the moves
Won the
applause --
cronies
We were the
cause.
molokov/cronies
Bit by bit the
pieces fit
The Soviet
Machine advances
Not one move
that won't improve
Our nation's
chances.
We predict a
stunning victory
Both on the
board and off it
We will show
the traitor no one
Rats with
profit.
(Molokov moves
into sober reverie as traditional cossack dancing follows from
the more inebriated and high-spirited team members.)
Molokov
(interrupting)
There is one
other gameplay - (pause: Cronies all ears again) - Gameplay
Three: Anatoly Sergievsky does not turn up to finish the match at
all. This could be the best news of all for us, comrades -
(Song resumes)
molokov
I can't look at
you
And say with
hand on
Heart that
he'll abandon
Something as
important
As the match of
his life
(Now Molokov
gets quite vicious)
But he managed
for his own selfish ends
To abandon his
friends
Teachers,
mentors, partners, colleagues, comrades -
(almost as an
afterthought)
And wife!
I wonder why I
feel remorse will overcome
Our former
chum?
I wonder if you
see what I am driving at?
Our brave
ex-pat
Might lose his
zest for life in the West...
(Music
continues but Molokov is carried away speaking, then almost
shouting, over it)
And this would
be a greater coup for us than if he had never left us in the
first place, comrades! The return of the prodigal!
(His Cronies
get the choruses going again.)
cronies
Bit by bit the
pieces fit
The Soviet
Machine advances
Not one move
that won't improve
Our nation's
chances.
We predict a
stunning victory
Both on the
board and off it
We will show
the traitor no one
Rats with
profit.
(They are by
now more drunk and relaxed and in conclusion, sing the boastful
and sentimental:)
From Moscow to
the Bering Straits
Citizens will
hail our victory
In Arctic
circles frozen states
Will join with
warmer climes in revelry
crony (solo)
And I can say
of this affair
I was there,
did my share, played my part
cronies
And Russians
all will be aware
I was there,
from the start --
Mmm - mmm
(solo)
aaaa - aah.
(As the Soviet
team retreat in bliddful oblivion, Molokov makes a phone call.
Only he and a Waiter remain.)
molokov
(into phone)
Mr. de Courcey.
Good news. We are going to be able to help each
other...yes, heartwarming international cooperation. I have
the proof that Florence Vassy's father is alive.... Incontestible
documentation straight from Prague.... Amazing how much
easier information is to come by these days. Anywhere in
East Europe -
(testily)
We have nothing
to do with Albania. Walter...Walter! Do you want to
be able to stage a great human rights victory...? Good.
All we want is a return to the status quo...of course, Anatoly
will come home...it's on its way to you now....
(He hands the
waiter a package)
My contribution
to glasnost....really, Walter, so cynical...! I will await
your call.
(Exit.)
Scene
transition:
Scene
Thirteen: THE CHESSBOARD
The
Deal
arbiter
Isn't it
strange the complications
People create
in situations
Almost as if
they want to miss
The wood for
the trees
Nothing will
change my basic feeling
When they've
done all their wheeler-dealing
Nothing will
change - the heavy guns
Just do as they
please.
You might see
all kinds of human emotion here - passion and pain, love and hate
-
I see nothing
other than a simple board game.
After a night
of vodka and deliberation, Alexander Molokov makes a very
important move.
(Molokov and
Svetlana appear on the balcony.)
molokov
You are not
here for a holiday, my dear. And there is still a lot you
can do to help your husband. And yourself.
You can have
the life you want
And anywhere
you want it.
But if you
persist with this inexplicable behavior, then life will be very
tough for you. Tell Anatoly that.
Make him think
of you not
Narcissistic
dreams of glory.
(Svetlana
descends in elevator)
arbiter
So, Svetlana
Sergeivska makes her move.
svetlana
(to Anatoly)
Long ago
In someone
else's lifetime
Someone with
your name
Who looked a
lot like you
Now you're
where you want to be and who you want to be
and
doing what you always said you would
and
you know you haven't won at all
Running for
your life and never looking back
in
case there's someone right behind to
shoot
you down and say he always knew you'd fall.
When the crazy
wheel slows down
Where will you
be?
Back where you
started.
(Svetlana moves
upstage into shadows)
arbiter
I see nothing
other than a simple board game.
(spoken)
In a surprising
counterattack, Walter de Courcey makes his gambit perfectly
clear.
(Walter and
Florence appear on balcony.)
walter
And so you see,
my dear, we have a golden opportunity to right one of the many
injustices of the past twenty years - and you will be the prime
beneficiary! We can arrange for the release of your father,
if -
florence
If he is alive!
walter
No, If you play
your part. Of course he's alive. You've seen the
evidence. Incontestible documentation straight from Prague.
It's amazing how much easier information is to come by these days
-
florence
This ought to
be such precious news
The greatest
moment of my life!
But all I feel
is squalor
I know I'm
being used
There's no one
in this filthy game
Who isn't
playing politics!
walter
I know. Twenty
years is a long time. But even if you don't believe me,
Anatoly does.
(They descend
in the elevator)
Now I'm not
saying it's a simple choice between Anatoly and your father, but
I don't think you should encourage Anatoly to win against
Freddie. We want your father out. And not only him --
(Exiting
elevator on stage level)
We have some
people to recover
I know that you
would simply love a
Chance to make
sure your father's name
Is high on our
list
We want him
back which is to say a
Gesture is
needed from your player
We wouldn't
mind if he got beaten
In fact we
insist.
florence
You can't
insist that Anatoly throw his life's work away!
It's all a lie!
There's no deal!
walter
A natural
reaction, but when you settle down
You'll see the
news is good
A little give,
a little take
florence
Guess who gives
and guess who takes?
walter
You must
realize, Florence, I'm giving you the only chance you'll ever
have to know your father -
florence
Guess who gives
and guess who takes?
walter
Do you think I
enjoy
Playing with
people's emotions?
In a way that
insures
I have to
extinguish my own
While you and
your morals can
Selfishly,
safely, survive.
And now here
just for once
I can do
something rewarding
You have to
forget
Anyone else's
ambitions
All that should
matter to you is
(spoken)
Your father's
alive.
florence
You know all
that matters to me
But why make me
feel I'm as dirty as you?
Why'd you have
to do this to me?
arbiter
I see nothing
other than a simple board game...
And now two of
the most powerful players make a midgame assessment...
(Walter &
Molokov, as if in a lavishly appointed gentlemen’s
convenience.)
walter
(to Molokov)
You should have
seen how she reacted
I couldn't
leave 'til she'd extracted
Promises she
would see her father
Simple, I said.
I told her the
way she could achieve this
Even though you
might not believe this
She said that I
was not to worry
Go right ahead.
molokov
You don't know
her well, she could have fooled you
She could spite
herself and resist us.
walter
I don't think
I'm wrong, but let's be certain
There are
others we can call in to assist us...
molokov
(Music: “Bangkok” tune)
There comes a
time when we should pool resources
Could be the
answer to our nations' prayers --
walter
There comes a
moment when the only course is
To use our
savoir, not our laissez faires
BOTH
We do our best
work when we hunt in pairs.
Let's work
together and the world is safer
The Berlin Wall
becomes a backyard fence
And our
cooperation paves the way for
Our prime time
leaders and the main events
Behind the
scenes we show some common sense
A little mutual
convenience
Let's work
together
walter
Comrade!
molokov
Buddy!
BOTH
It's our best
defense!
(Molokov exits,
Freddie enters.)
arbiter
And who better
to assist them than the world champion?
walter
And so, you
can't lose. They've been doing all they can to beat you,
unfairly, Freddie - remember the yogurt? Now you can do it
to them! I'm sure you'll find a chance to remind Anatoly
how he'll wreck Florence's life if he wins! Good boy!
(Walter exits,
Anatoly enters.)
arbiter
I see nothing
other than a simple board game.
freddie
(to Anatoly)
Communist/Democrat
anatoly
An intriguing
collusion
freddie
Fair exchange
-tit for tat
anatoly
Comradeship in
profusion
freddie
And the appeal,
partner
Of this deal,
partner
Is we both
stand to win
You and me, the
lady also
Don't break her
heart, partner
Just be smart,
partner
My advice: walk
away
Nothing matters
more than she does.
Thank God we're
so civilized
And our word
can be our bond
We can turn
this into friendship for life
And beyond -
(Freddie's
delivery has been sarcastic but maybe he is actually trying to do
something for Florence as much as for himself. Anatoly is
disgusted.)
anatoly
(indicating
himself)
Refugee
(indicating
Freddie)
Total shit
Is the way that
I see us
Not a help,
you'll admit
To agreement
between us
There's no
deal, partner
Who's your real
partner?
Maybe there's
just a chance
That you've got
some heavy clients?
(Walter and
Molokov appear in shadows on balconies.)
freddie
WALTER & MOLOKOV
That's not
true, partner
Partner
I'm with you,
partner
Partner
Think that I'd
want to be
Part of any red
alliance?
How can you
only think
Of your selfish
ambition?
And not of her
position?
Or you'd rather
perhaps
See her world
collapse
For a tinpot
competition?
anatoly
There's no
deal!
(Florence is
revealed. "Pity the Child" refrain:)
florence
When I was
young I learned survival
Taught myself
not to care
Told myself
most things didn't matter
Just because
they weren't there
How can a
half-remembered childhood
And some talk
of a man that I barely knew
Touch me the
way they do?
Pity the child
who coped with death, aged five
Just in case
he's alive --
freddie
(indicating
himself; interrupting her thoughts)
Silly boy
(indicating
Florence)
Woman who
I should not
have let walk out
There's no
hitch that we two
Can't untangle
or talk out
And the appeal,
partner
Of this deal,
partner
Is we both
stand to win
If you tell him
not to be there!
Not to show,
honey
Then we'll
know, honey
We can be what
we were
Nothing matters
more than we do!
florence
Can't you see
we've moved on?
You still don't
understand why I left you!
FLORENCE
& freddie
Who'd ever
guess it?
This would be
the situation
One more
complication
Should be
neither here nor there
I wish I had it
in me not to care.
anatoly
Now it's all
crystal clear
Something
better beginning
Who to beat,
where to move
What I'll lose
in the winning --
florence
This is my
father's life
Do you know
what you're saying?
When you win I
shall lose
Do you know why
you're playing?
all (including
Svetlana)
Who'd ever
think it?
No one makes
the moves intended
Till the game
is ended
Then they say I
told you so
I'm learning
things I didn't want to know.
(Arbiter
appears on balcony)
arbiter/WALTER
MOLOKOV
Everybody's
playing the game
But nobody's
rules are the same.
all
Nobody's on
nobody's side
Everybody's
playing the game
But nobody's
rules are the same
Nobody's on
nobody's side.
(Florence is
joined by Svetlana. They inhabit separate worlds on
opposite sides of the stage.)
I Know
Him So Well
florence
Nothing is so
good it lasts eternally
Perfect
situations must go wrong
But this has
never yet prevented me
Wanting far too
much for far too long
Looking back I
could have played it differently
Won a few more
moments, who can tell?
But it took
time to understand the man
Now at least I
know I know him well.
Wasn't it good?
SVETLANA
Oh so good
florence
Wasn't he fine?
SVETLANA
Oh so fine
florence
Isn't it
madness
both
He can't be
mine?
florence
But in the end
he needs a little bit more than me
More security.
SVETLANA
He needs his
fantasy and freedom.
florence
I know him so
well.
SVETLANA
No one in your
life is with you constantly
No one is
completely on your side
And though I
move my world to be with him
Still the gap
between us is too wide
Looking back I
could have played it differently
florence
Looking back I
could have played it differently
SVETLANA
Learned about
the man before I fell
florence
I was just a
little careless maybe
SVETLANA
But I was ever
so much younger then
florence
Now at least I
know him well
SVETLANA
Now at least
both
I know I know
him well
SVETLANA
Wasn't it good?
florence
Oh so good
SVETLANA
Wasn't he fine?
florence
Oh so fine
SVETLANA
Isn't it
madness
both
He won't be
mine?
Didn't I know
How it would go?
If I knew from
the start
Why am I
falling apart?
SVETLANA
Wasn't it good?
Wasn't he fine?
florence
Isn't it
madness
both
He won't be
mine?
florence
Isn't it
madness?
both
He won't be
mine?
florence
But in the end
he needs a little bit more than me
More security
SVETLANA
He needs his
fantasy and freedom
florence
I know him so
well
SVETLANA
It took time to
understand him
both
I know him so
well
(The two women
do not acknowledge each other during the song but at the very end
their eyes meet. They appear to want to speak to each
other, but the moment passes and they leave in different
directions.)
Scene
Fourteen: ENDGAME
Endgame
(Final contest
between Freddie Trumper and Anatoly Sergievsky. All
protagonists, delegates, observers, etc. take up positions during
the choral chanting of the chess champions’ names. Anatoly
is missing. Freddie looks relaxed. The Arbiter in
charge.)
all
1886 - Wilhelm
Steinitz
1894 - Emanuel
Lasker
1921 - Jose
Capablanca
1927 - Alexei
Alekhine
1935 -
Machgielis Euwe
1948 - Mikhail
Botvinnik
arbiter
Welcome to the
final game in this world championship. With all scores
level, Mr. Trumper, the world champion, needs only a draw to
retain his title. Mr. Sergievsky needs an outright win, but
more important, Mr. Sergievsky needs to turn up. He has
five minutes in which to do so.
ALL
Did you make it
clear
That he has to
be here?
Does he
understand
There are no
exceptions?
arbiter
How
straightforward the game
When all its
rules are respected.
all
1957 - Vassily
Smyslov
arbiter
And those rules
are the same
For a champion
or for a novice
No show, no
dice, no appeal
No exception,
no way.
(Enter Walter,
Molokov and Svetlana)
ALL
1960 - Mikhail
Tal
1963 - Tigran
Petrosian
walter
(to Molokov,
sarcastic)
Now when you
ran the show
A player would
never go missing!
all
1969 - Boris
Spassky.
walter
I expect that
they're both
Making the most
of his freedom
Lucky for us
that the last thing that matters is chess.
all
1972 - Robert
'Bobby' Fischer
molokov
(contemptuous)
It's the weak
who accept
Tawdry untruths
about freedom.
all
1975 - Anatoly
Karpov.
molokov
Prostituting
themselves
Chasing some
spurious starlight
Trinkets in
airports sufficient to lead them astray.
all
1985 - Garry
Kasparov.
SVETlana
(cold and
clear)
Does the player
exist
In any human
endeavor?
Who's been
known to resist
Sirens of fame
and possessions?
Nothing can
harm the successful except for success!
all
We are all
aware of reputation
But this empty
chair is condemnation
Of a man who
blew it, sold out with dishonor.
No one gives a
damn for his dilemma
Just another
scam, we're sick of them, a
Petulant
display, another prima donna.
We can hardly
begin to
Imagine why
he'd risk all he's put into
His calling
through the years
The blood, the
sweat, the tears
The late, late
nights, the early starts.
Of course the
effect is
Exactly what
observers will expect, viz.
The world is
set to cheer
The only one
who's here
The bad guy's
gone and won their hearts.
(Florence
enters.)
all
Is he still in
bed?
Or in the
shower?
Even if he's
dead
They won't
allow a
Man to show up
after the appointed hour.
(Music builds.
Anatoly enters at the last possible moment. Reactions among
the protagonists)
anatoly
They all think
they see a man
Who doesn't
know
Which move to
make
Which way to go
Whose private
life
Caused his
decline
Wrecked his
grand design
Some are
vicious, some are fools
And others
blind
To see in me
One of their
kind
(Anatoly takes
his place at the board and makes a confident opening play. Freddie
is unsettled by Anatoly’s sure play but relies strongly)
freddie
So he hasn't
cracked
He still can
cut it!
Maybe it's an
act -
It must be -
But it
Made us all
believe that
He could even
sit here
anatoly
Never let them
know
Their eyes
affect you
Never let it
show
They won't
suspect you
Mean to let
them win
There's no one
going to quit here
(Anatoly makes
a particularly decisive move - Freddie is taken aback.)
florence
& Svetlana
(during which a
stylised version of the game continues)
Here we have
two men caring
About a minor
sporting triumph, sharing
A show with
esoterics,
Paranoids,
hysterics
Who don't pay
attention to
What goes on
around them
They leave the
ones they love the way they found them
Is this the
life they need?
A chidlish,
selfish greed
While those
around them bleed to death
anatoly
(dramatically)
Check!
(Freddie is
taken aback)
then I think of
her
Her and her
father
What would she
prefer?
I know I'd
rather
never win again
than feel
That I'd
betrayed them
(Freddie moves,
Anatoly counters)
arbiter
(taking over
the calling)
Check!
(clearly
Anatoly attacking Freddie)
freddie
My God, he's
not gonna crack -
anatoly
Which means
that my decision
Really isn't
very hard at all -
freddie
He’s
possessed by guilt and fear
anatoly
So here we are
The final
stages of a soul-destroying game
The sacrifice
of something I shall never find again
ARBITER
Check!
(Again, Anatoly
attacking)
ANATOLY
NEVER!
(“Check”
and “Never” are repeated by the Arbiter and Anatoly
respectively as Anatoly makes a series of moves that destroy
Freddie)
NEVER!!!
(Checkmate.
Anatoly wins. Freddie turns his king over.)
freddie
on the losing
side!
A variation!
Taken for a
ride
A situation
That is known
as dues and
Florence, I
just paid them!
anatoly
There is
nothing more to do
My choice is
made
The die is cast
The game is
played
And so at last
I have freedom!
arbiter
Mr. Sergievsky
is the winner and becomes the new world champion.
(All observers
go to applaud. Anatoly gestures for silence and says
quietly)
anatoly
And I shall be
leaving Bangkok this evening - on the flight to Moscow!
(A stunned
silence, then gradually a buzz builds towards fresh chaos. The
final fanfare starts as Anatoly is surrounded by admirers. Downstage,
Freddie is desolate. He exchanges a look with Florence,
then stares at the board in disbelief before beginning his exit.)
chorus
We have just
witnessed history made!
This is the
first champion in exile!
What a great
day for international chess!
(All exit
amidst great jubilation. Molokov slapping Anatoly on the
back, Svetlana embracing him. As they depart, Florence is
left as if frozen, downstage.)
Scene
transition:
Scene
Fifteen: THE DEPARTURE
The Hotel
Lobby. Florence moves to a small table where she is served
tea. "Welcome" banner and flags absent. A
garlanded Buddha attended by staff. The Arbiter is present.
Guests come and go. Journalists. Porters cross with
luggage, etc.)
arbiter
And the final
moves will determine the winners -- and the losers.
(Freddie enters
and approaches Florence)
freddie
Florence?
I came to say goodbye
(no reply)
Because I'm
staying here! For a while, anyway. Anything but chess
for me now. It looks like this place is good for everything
but chess!
(They embrace,
it’s formal, cool, an awkward silence. Then,
ever-buoyant, Freddie spotss the Russian couple.)
freddie
Hey, Anatoly -
(He ascends to
Anatoly and Svetlana on the balcony and talks to them. Walter
approaches Florence.)
Departure
2
walter
So in the end
our hero won...
Brilliantly!
Surprised us
all -
He played as
well as he has ever done.
florence
No surprise --
walter
He seems unable
to win
Without the
added thrill of changing sides
Is there
nothing more you have to say?
florence
No, you
wouldn't listen anyhow
And what I feel
today
Has no easy
explanation
Hasn't this
been a great achievement?
Losing your man
and nothing in return!
walter
Not my man -
your man. Anyway, Anatoly's return to the Soviet bosom is a
very decent gesture if I may say so - he has virtually guaranteed
us - er, you - your father. He must have done it for you,
he'd hardly have done it for me.
Don't be so
quick to put us down
We'll get your
father out soon
That is, as
long as he is still alive, but if he’s not we’ll still
get -
florence
What - what did
you say?
walter
Well, we can't
be sure that he's alive but you couldn't be sure that he was
dead, so you're no worse off.
Walter hands
Florence her airline ticket then backs away. Molokov,
Svetlana, Anatoly and Freddie enter from elevator. Molokov
greets Walter who is glad to get away from Florence.)
florence
(quiet, bitter)
Playing games!
(Svetlana moves
towards Florence and after a moment’s consideration extends
her hand. Florence takes it. Then Svetlana departs
with Walter, Freddie, Anatoly and Molokov. The stage
empties of guests, journalists and staff etc. But Anatoly
pauses.)
You
and I
(Anatoly and
Florence - the farewell embrace)
anatoly
(re-entering)
Knowing I want
you
Knowing I love
you
Cannot compare
With my dispair
Knowing I've
lost you
florence
I've been a
fool to allow
Dreams to
become
Great
expectations.
anatoly
How can I love
you so much
Yet make no
move?
both
There will be
days and nights
When I'll want
you more than I want to
More than I
should
Oh, how I want
you
You and I
We've seen it
all
Chasing our
hearts' desire
But we go on
pretending
Stories like
ours
Have happy
endings
anatoly
You could not
give me
More than you
gave me
I don't know
why
I'm standing by
Watching this
happen
florence
I won't look
back anymore
And if I do -
just for a moment.
anatoly
I can't imagine
a time when I won't care.
both
But here we are
today, and it's over
Hold me and
tell me
We'll meet
again
Why won't you
tell me?
anatoly
Why is it over?
florence/anatoly
& guests
You and I
We've seen it
all
Chasing our
hearts' desire
florence
& Anatoly
But we go on
pretending....
(they embrace
for the last time and part, Florence up in an elevator, Anatoly
out of the hotel)
chorus
Stories like
ours
Have happy
endings
(The globe of
the world; the two children, the mother, wise men, princes.
The Abiter bows. The two children spin the globe of the
world.)
the end